Pinpointing the top 2020 offseason needs for the Las Vegas Raiders
By Ian Higgins
Defensive Tackle
2019 Personnel: Johnathan Hankins, Maurice Hurst
The final position group that will need to be addressed during the 2020 offseason is the defensive tackle. Operating from a 4-3 defense, this position is normally for three-technique tackles who can both hold their ground against the run and penetrate to create pressure against the pass. A quarterback’s worst enemy is interior pressure that disrupts the pocket, and having that on your roster is extremely valuable.
A number of 3-technique defensive tackles will be hitting the open market this offseason, including former Tampa Bay star and a player with something to prove Gerald McCoy. McCoy has had a downward trend in production since his 9.5 sacks in 2013, most recently logging a total of five sacks and 37 tackles in Carolina this past season. His price tag should not be extremely high and could be a cap-friendly option to fill the interior in the short-term.
For the future, day two of the NFL draft or the back half of the first round has multiple options who have impressed at the senior bowl, combine, or both events. Neville Gallimore, Larrell Murchison, and others provide options at both the nose tackle and three-technique.
One of the most popular, and most impressive on tape, has been TCU tackle Ross Blacklock. At 305 pounds, Blacklock possesses surprising explosiveness and burst off of the snap and has shown good hand-fighting skills for the next level.